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Scalise sin is much ado about nothing

In terms of sins committed by elected officials, we find the revelation that U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise spoke to a white nationalist group more than 12 years ago to be much ado about nothing, if it is indeed true.

Scalise sin is much ado about nothing

In terms of sins committed by elected officials, we find the revelation that U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise spoke to a white nationalist group more than 12 years ago to be much ado about nothing, if it is indeed true.

Scalise, the No. 3 Republican leader in the House, called it a mistake Tuesday to have addressed a group in 2002 founded by former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke. Scalise, then a state representative, said his appearance was part of his effort to build support for legislation to cut spending and stop tax increases.

“One of the many groups that I spoke to regarding this critical legislation was a group whose views I wholeheartedly condemn,” Scalise, 49, said in a statement Tuesday. “It was a mistake I regret and I emphatically oppose the divisive racial and religious views groups like these hold.”

The potentially damaging news about Scalise’s appearance before the European-American Unity and Rights Organization broke the week before a new, Republican-led Congress convenes, and as Republicans tout their efforts to promote more diversity within the party.

Scalise joined the House in 2008 and was elected majority whip in June. He served in the Louisiana state House and state Senate from 1996 to 2008.

But now, the source of the original story published in a political blog is claiming it was all a mistake.

Kenny Knight told the Times-Picayune on Wednesday that Scalise spoke at a meeting of the Jefferson Heights Civic Association conference that was held in the same Metairie hotel two-and-a-half hours before the white nationalist event started.

Barbara Noble, who was dating Knight and said she attended the meeting, also said Scalise spoke to the civic group, not EURO.

Knight said he rented and paid for the hotel conference room for EURO, a group founded by David Duke. Since he had already paid for the space, Knight said, he decided to also hold his local civic association meeting at the Metairie hotel. He stressed that the two gatherings were not connected.

Scalise said he’s disappointed some have tried to use the news for political gain. “Those who know me best know I have always been passionate about helping, serving, and fighting for every family that I represent,” he said.

The congressman’s voting record — past, present and future — should be the standard by which his interests, biases and intentions are judged.